Attachable handle system

ABSTRACT

An improved easy lift handle that can be placed on an existing box, carton or package to assist in lifting and carrying the box, carton or package. The handle is removably attached to the item that needs to be moved and lies flat so that it does not inhibit the ability to stack boxes, cartons or packages. The handles can be placed before the item is moved and removed from the item after it is moved to the desired location.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to handles that can be removably placed on boxes or other cumbersome items. Specifically, the system relates to a handle or set of handles attached to the top or opposed sides of a container, for the convenient lifting and transporting of the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With an increasing number of consumers relying on ecommerce to do their shopping, there is a commensurate increase in the use of boxes to deliver products online. Because there is almost an endless variety of products that one can purchase online, there is also an endless variety of boxes that are used to ship those products. Package delivery people almost always work alone and are faced with the challenge of handling this variety of boxes

Most containers are constructed with smooth, lateral, vertical sides that make them difficult to lift. Access to the bottom surface of the container is required to achieve the grip needed to lift the container. Fingers are usually slid under the container to apply the upward force needed to lift. This method can prove to be quite painful and may also lead to back strain, an occurrence that is commonly suffered when an improper technique is used to lift heavy boxes.

Often, more than one person is needed to lift and transport a very large or cumbersome container. Both carriers must get a firm hold on the container and the movement and progression of the carriers must be coordinated to avoid any accidents. This is difficult to accomplish, especially since one carrier usually must face in the direction opposite that travelled. The result can be an uncomfortable and awkward attempt to transport a container.

Many containers have been constructed with permanent handles, either as projections or as apertures found on the vertical surfaces of the container. Additional projections on the vertical sides of the container are very inconvenient, requiring more room in storing and stacking the containers, and can be broken off or damage adjacent containers. Fibrous containers made of cardboard are often disassembled and stacked in flat piles for storage. Permanent handles projecting from the container would make this very difficult to accomplish. It is preferred that containers do not contain apertures. Any discontinuity in the vertical face of the container would cause a material weakness, diminishing the ability to reuse the container. Apertures in the container would also expose the container's inner contents to moisture and other elements, causing possible damage to the contents. In many cases, the inner contents would be severely damaged if exposed to these elements.

A number of systems for lifting and transporting containers have been developed, with varying degrees of success. U.S. Pat. No. 3,311,126 to Cornish (1962) illustrates the problems that accompany openings in the sides of a container. The patent discloses a system for reinforcing these openings. A wire loop, preferably of such a shape and size to substantially frame the handle opening, is fixed to the inside surface of the container and serves as a handhold for the container. The wire loop is fastened to the end section of the container by strips of tape, which are folded around the loop, and adhered to the end walls of the container to distribute the load and prevent the container from tearing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,349 to Uccellini (1980) uses a pair of handles with a plurality of pointed projections oriented from the handle at 45° angles. The handles are designed to engage opposite, vertical sides of a fibrous container. While not completely penetrating the container, the device does puncture its outer surface and diminishes the material strength of the cardboard. After a container has been repeatedly subjected to these handles its outer surface may be seriously damaged. Because the handles are unable to penetrate a metal container, the use of this device is limited to fibrous containers, such as cardboard.

The foregoing devices represent improvements in the lifting and transporting of large containers. However, most of these devices do not take into account the shearing force present when a large container is lifted. In most cases, the handles may detach from the container when the initial force needed to lift the container is applied. In order for handles to be effective they must not puncture or deface the surface of the container, they must be able to withstand the shearing force present between the handles and the container during lifting and transporting, and they should not interfere with stacking the containers when either assembled or unassembled. The prior art is unable to meet these requirements. Manually lifting and transporting containers may prove to be more efficient and effective than the devices disclosed in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished to provide a system for removably attaching a handle or handles to allow for lifting and moving a cumbersome item.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a system and “method for lifting and transporting containers that is capable of withstanding the shearing force that exists between the handles and the container, without puncturing the surface of the container.

A further object is the provision of a system and method that does not interfere with the high density storing and stacking of containers, whether the containers are assembled or disassembled.

An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a system and method that promotes the use of a proper technique when lifting a container, thus helping to reduce the possibility of back strain caused by the improper lifting of the container.

To the accomplishment of the above and related aspects, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings, however, are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to a box and being used by a delivery person.

FIG. 2A is a top view of one configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a rear view of one configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a rear view of one configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of one configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a top view of another configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a rear view of another configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a rear view of another configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of another configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an additional configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a rear view of an additional configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4C is a rear view of an additional configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of an additional configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of one configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one configuration of the present invention attached to a box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A removable handle system is designed to aid in the efficient lifting arid transporting of cumbersome items by temporarily affixing handles onto the items, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . In most instances, the cumbersome items are containers 17 constructed with smooth, vertical side walls. An easy lift temporary removable handle 10 is attached to the top of the container using base plate 11, allowing user 14 to grasp handles 12 to carry package 17. The system should be positioned on the surface of the container so as to provide the carrier with the optimum leverage in lifting and most comfort in carrying, taking into account the container's center of gravity.

The principle components of easy lift temporary removable handle 10 are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and include base plate 11, handles 12 and mounting means 15. FIG. 2A shows easy lift temporary removable handle 10 as it would look before being attached to an item. Base plate 11 and handles 12 lie flat for easy storage before use. FIG. 2B is a rear view of easy lift temporary removable handle 10. Again, base plate 11 and handles 12 lie flat. Removable backing 13 in FIG. 2B covers mounting means 15. FIG. 2C shows user 14 taking off removable backing 13 to expose mounting means 15. In the preferred embodiment, mounting means 15 is a strong adhesive that bonds to package 17 in such a way that user 14 can utilize easy lift temporary removable handle 10 without worrying about it detaching from package 17. FIG. 2D shows easy lift temporary removable handle 10 as it would look once it has been attached to a package or cumbersome item. Handles 12 have been folded apart from base plate 11 to enable a user to grip the handle to lift and move a package.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D show an alternative configuration of easy lift temporary removable handle 10 where handles 12 are not located around the edge of base plate as was shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A shows easy lift temporary removable handle 10 as it would look before being attached to an item. Base plate 11 and handles 12 lie flat for easy storage before use. FIG. 2B is a rear view of easy lift temporary removable handle 10. Again, base plate 11 and handles 12 lie flat. Removable backing 13 in FIG. 2B covers mounting means 15. FIG. 2C shows user 14 taking off removable backing 13 to expose mounting means 15. FIG. 2D shows easy lift temporary removable handle 10 as it would look once it has been attached to a package or cumbersome item. Handles 12 have been folded apart from base plate 11 to enable a user to grip the handle to lift and move a package. Handles 12 and base plate 11 can be made from a variety of materials, including, among other materials, cardboard, wood, metal, rubber, plastic and nylon. Handles 12 and base plate 11 dd not need to be made of the same material.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D show an additional configuration of easy lift temporary removable handle 10. FIG. 4A shows easy lift temporary removable handle 10 as it would look before being attached to an item and includes single handle 12 and base plate 11. FIG. 4B is a rear view of easy lift temporary removable handle 10. Removable backing 13 in FIG. 4B covers mounting means 15. FIG. 4C shows user 14 taking off removable backing 13 to expose mounting means 15. FIG. 4D shows easy lift temporary removable handle 10 as it would look once it has been attached to a package or cumbersome item. A user grips handle 12 to lift and move a package.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are included to provide illustrations of additional configuration of handles 12 on base plate 11 for easy lift temporary removable handle 10.

Easy lift temporary removable handle 10 can be applied to the top of an item to allow for lifting and moving of that item, or as shown in FIG. 6 , a pair of easy lift temporary removable handles 10 can be used to lift an item.

The description of the invention above should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the disclosed embodiment because those who are skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to devise other equivalent forms thereof within the scope of the invention. Variations and changes, which are obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope and nature of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An easy lift removable handle, comprising: a base plate; at least one handhold attached to the top of said base plate; and mounting means affixed to the bottom of said base plate.
 2. The easy lift removable handle according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means is an adhesive.
 3. The easy lift removable handle according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means consists of a hook and loop fastener.
 4. The easy lift removable handle according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means is a clasp.
 5. The easy lift removable handle according to claim 3 wherein said clasp is made of metal.
 6. The easy lift removable handle according to claim 1 wherein said handhold is ergonomically designed.
 7. The easy lift removable handle according to claim 1 wherein said the easy lift removable handle is capable of lifting cartons of at least 50 pounds
 8. The easy lift removable handle according to claim 1 wherein said handhold is made out of a plastic strap.
 9. The easy lift removable handle according to claim 1 wherein said handhold is made out of a molded plastic. 